Play Book Tag discussion

The culture theme for February is...

Portugal, nominated by Catriona!

This thread will be used for a couple of purposes:
• Announcing the culture (done!)
• Planning and discussing what books you would like to read (let the planning commence!)
• Reviewing your books starting February 1 . Books read and reviewed before that will not count.

Finally, if you want to read a book for the culture challenge in February, but it does NOT fit Portugal, that is totally fine too! You can still review it here for one participation point. Books that do fit the Portugal culture will receive two participation points.

Will everyone please put at the top of their review the culture they are reading for, whether it is Portugal or another culture just to help me with scoring and to serve as a guide for others who are reading your review. Thanks!

Clarification of Reporting Guidelines

The goal of the Expanding Your PBT Horizons Challenge is to read 12 books from other cultures throughout the year, which means you can read one a month or all 12 in January or any conceivable combination between the two. However, there are monthly culture themes added to the mix which makes for some unique reporting conflicts that the admins did not think of when posting the challenge. Thank you to Nancy for pointing it out!

The admins spoke and we tried to make this as fair and as simple as possible, so here are the three easy points to follow:

1) Each month there is a culture theme. If you choose to read for the theme—which is not mandatory—then you must read your book that fits that theme and post the review within the assigned month. You will receive 2 participation points per review and you can read more than 1 book, but each book counts toward your ultimate cap of 12 books for the year. *you can read more than 12 books if you like, but you only get points for this challenge for up to 12*

2) For books you read for the Culture Challenge that do not fit the monthly culture theme, you can do one of two things:

2a) You can post the books each month as you read them and simply label them as not fitting the monthly culture theme and stating what culture they fit. However, there are no "take backs" and once you report a book this way for 1 participation point, it counts to your total of 12 books.

2b) Alternatively, if you want to try to maximize your reads for the monthly culture theme, you can read other cultures throughout the year and wait to report them until late in December for 1 participation point each. An important point to this though is that even if you read a book in March and have been holding off on reporting it until the end of the year and then it happens to fit the December culture, you still only get 1 participation point for it because you did not read it in December.

Also, this only applies for the Culture Challenge. You should still write a review and post it in the monthly tag or nonmonthly tag folder in the month that you read it for regular PBT participation points.

I think I will try Journey to Portugal: In Pursuit of Portugal's History and Culture by José Saramago

Hmmm, this might take some investigation. Not sure I own anything set in Portugal that I have NOT read. I might just consider a re-read of a couple of historical fiction favorites by Jane Aiken Hodge - Marry in Haste and The Winding Stair.

Oh, wait, there are a lot of historical fiction and historical mysteries set in Portugal during the Peninsular Wars with Napoleon! Now I bet I have a few books, including a couple of Bernard Cornwell Sharpe books.

I have found a few-if anyone had feedback on any of them, I am open to opinions-My January book was a bomb!

The High Mountains of Portugal
The Baker Who Pretended to Be King of Portugal

I think I’ll try and read Blindness again.

Theresa wrote: "Hmmm, this might take some investigation. Not sure I own anything set in Portugal that I have NOT read. I might just consider a re-read of a couple of historical fiction favorites by [author:Jane A..."

Theresa I was searching for HF and could not find anything-actually I got fed up with Listopia popping up with 2000 titles and all in Portuguese! Let me know what you find

Joanne wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Hmmm, this might take some investigation. Not sure I own anything set in Portugal that I have NOT read. I might just consider a re-read of a couple of historical fiction favorites b..."

I will. I'm more likely to do Google searches and ignore the GR links. I do way better finding books that way.

I love Google! Just putting that out there...

@Joanne - once I looked past GR and Amazon links, I found this, and it has some gems on it:

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/por...

I know I have Night Train to Lisbon on my TBR although I don't own a copy as it was on a recommended author list of some kind I stumbled across a few months ago.

Also this link - there is overlap: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...

I'm definitely going with fiction this time around. I had pretty heavy and serious reading in January. I need a break.

If I’m feeling brave - and if I can find it - I may tackle “The Book of Disquiet” by Fernando Pessoa. It would also fit the ‘book published posthumously’ prompt for the Popsugar challenge, which could be useful

Theresa wrote: "I love Google! Just putting that out there...

@Joanne - once I looked past GR and Amazon links, I found this, and it has some gems on it:

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/por...

..."

Thanks Theresa!!! These are great!

Some more links to lists of recommended books - and yes there is quite a lot of overlap:

https://www.tripfiction.com/five-grea...

http://taleaway.com/books-set-in-port...

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/por...

http://inlovewithlisbon.com/2007/08/0...

https://www.pinterest.com/yonndr/nove...

I've put a hold on the ebook version Night Train to Lisbon - only 4 on list with 3 copies available through NYPL. Odds are excellent I'll have it early in February! But, I may just buy it as it is on my wishlist.

Theresa wrote: "I've put a hold on the ebook version Night Train to Lisbon - only 4 on list with 3 copies available through NYPL. Odds are excellent I'll have it early in February! But, I may just b..."

Theresa, Theresa....I though we were not buying anymore books.....😊🤣

Here are some resources I was looking at-

Goodreads "Portugal" tag

Goodreads Best on History of Portugal: fiction and non-fiction

Books Set In- Search Portugal

Tripfictions Portugal Search

Seems like anything Jose Saramago is a go-to for Portugal..


Standouts for me so far
300 Days of Sun
The Piano Cemetery
The High Mountains of Portugal- although the magical realism is a turnoff for me

Susie wrote: "I think I’ll try and read Blindness again."

I couldn't get through the DTB- but I LOVED the audio, gave it 5 stars. I would say it didn't really have anything to do with Portugal or its culture, besides the author though.

This one is a bit more challenging for me....but I believe I found something that will work. A little bit of history and education.

I think I'll go with The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon or The Day of Atonement. I did click on Joi's post and was very intrigued by The Piano Cemetery.

Joi, thanks for the audio tip! I was thinking it might not really be in the spirit of the challenge though. As you said, the only link is that he’s Portuguese.

Olivermagnus! i am going with the Last Kabbalist of Lisbon. It took me close to an hour to search my existing TBR - 449 books. Finally a match! This is the one for me! Hope you read it too.....

Well, I have nothing on my TBR to fit this category so I looked through all the recommendations. I think I am going with Last Kabbalist of Lisbon.

Baltasar and Blimunda looks good to me so far.

Susie wrote: "I think I’ll try and read Blindness again."

I'm there with you except, I've never started it I own a dtb forever as well as Baltasar and Blimunda, Nancy J. Either of those are possibilities.

For a cute Saramago there is The Elephant's Journey. Another one I read is A Small Death in Lisbon, but I didn't love it.

Another one set in the Azores which is an autonomous region of Portugal is The Tenth Island: Finding Joy, Beauty, and Unexpected Love in the Azores. I really loved that.

Joanne wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I've put a hold on the ebook version Night Train to Lisbon - only 4 on list with 3 copies available through NYPL. Odds are excellent I'll have it early in February! B..."

Borrowing from library.... AND it was already on my TBR.

Leave it to the lawyer to argue and persuade 😎

Distant Music, by Lee Langley sounds like a possibility for this challenge. It got it's highest praise for highlighting different parts of Portugal's history and culture. It's about two lovers reincarnated over and over again (he was Jewish, she was not), over the course of centuries. The story itself wasn't loved by everyone, but I'm in the mood for a romance and it covers a lot of the culture, so I might take a chance.

But my library doesn't have it.

Susie wrote: "I think I’ll try and read Blindness again."

I was interested in Saramago's books too, but Blindness and the one about Death take place in an unnamed city, so I don't know if they'll tell us anything about Lisbon or Portugal. The Stone Raft sounds interesting, it's fantastical but represents Portugal's political/economic relationship with Europe.

Booknblues, thank you for reminding me of The Tenth Island! I remember your review and that you really liked it! Added bonus: I am guessing it may also fit the life tag...

If I can't get the books I want on time, I won't stress over it because I'm getting a lot of culture reads in (even if I don't choose to count them for points now). I'm reading a second Iraq book now. My February bookclubs include books on Italy, India, and Native American cultures.

Nicole R wrote: "Booknblues, thank you for reminding me of The Tenth Island! I remember your review and that you really liked it! Added bonus: I am guessing it may also fit the life tag..."

Darn, I couldn't find Life as a tag for The Tenth Island, and I went all the way to the last page. (unless I missed it)

NancyJ wrote: "Darn, I couldn't find Life as a tag for The Tenth Island, and I went all the way to the last page. (unless I missed it) "

I didn't actually look at the tags, it just sounded like something that would fit!

BUT, this challenge does not have the strict "must be tagged life" requirement as the Trim Challenge, so you could totally cross post this in the February folder for books that fit the monthly tag if you personally thought that the life tag was appropriate.

I love Saramago, though he's a challenge to read. And ... while he is Portuguese, I'm not sure that many of his books are particular to Portuguese culture.

I do not think Blindness, The Double or The Elephant's Journey are about Portugal and it's culture specifically, though they may be set there.

This is a tough one. I have already read Blindness. It was very hard to dig up a book that truly has cultural aspects woven in.

I finally found this one that has NO ratings. So that's a little scary. But it does sound like it truly is cultural so I'll probably take my chances, lol.

A Local Boy: A Memoir

My plan B is Critterbee's idea.

All that said, I haven't even read my January book yet. Haven't even started it. I might be overloaded with reading commitments, and my brand new apartment building is starting a book club, and for social reasons, I kinda want to join that one . . .so something is going to have to give. It may be this challenge sadly.

A Small Death in Lisbon is on my tbr list so it looks like I'll be reading it.

I was thinking last night that I may just try to find an interesting Portuguese Cookbook! I use to love reading and collecting Cookbooks, when all things food started on the internet years ago, I stopped.....might be time to refuel that passion!

I have been meaning to try Saramago for awhile now. The two I own (Blindness and The Elephant's Journey) don't seem to have a lot about Portuguese culture in them so I placed a hold on Baltasar and Blimunda and Journey to Portugal: In Pursuit of Portugal's History and Culture at the library. I will see which one best fits my mood when they come in.

I was tempted by The Book of Disquiet: The Complete Edition but my Iraqi book was a hard one to get through because of the style of writing and I am not ready for another one that takes a lot of work to read. I am still looking for a book published posthumously though, so if I get a second wind later in February, it could be an option.

The Tenth Island: Finding Joy, Beauty, and Unexpected Love in the Azores looks interesting as well. I know a lot of cruise ships stop in the Azores....

If I picked that up, that would be my second horizons memoir. I could probably read memoirs for all the cultures, haha.

I don't even know where to begin...

Nicole R wrote: "Booknblues, thank you for reminding me of The Tenth Island! I remember your review and that you really liked it! Added bonus: I am guessing it may also fit the life tag..."

I think that The Tenth Island: Finding Joy, Beauty, and Unexpected Love in the Azores would be an excellent book to read for Portugal and for February. Especially for those in Northern climes or those who are stuck in the grind. It will give you all a chance to escape to a beautiful sunny climate with an extremely enticing culture.

I double checked on Anita's ideas for life:
1. Books that address the meaning of life
2. Books that give advice or insights for how to live life or how to enjoy life
3. Memoirs that discuss end of life
4. Books addressing the biology of life
5. Memoirs that address aspects of how to live life
6. Straight up biographies

I believe that the Tenth Island meets both 2 and 5 so I added life as a tag. It isn't one that I ever use but did think it was relevant for this.

I am planning to read Small Memories by Jose Saramago. It's a memoir of his childhood and teen years in Azinhaga and Lisbon, Portugal. I think it also works for the "life" tag.

I was happy to find that Fernando Pessoa's Selected Poems are on the shelf at my library, so I'm going to pick that book up too.

I think I have The Book of Disquiet: The Complete Edition at home, otherwise it will be Baltasar and Blimunda.

There's a portuguese author called Lídia Jorge, and there are quite a few of her book in hebrew (which usually means they are good/interesting if they got them translated), but I won't be able to get them in time

One of the books longest on my TBR is The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon. That would fit nicely.

For those thinking about reading about Portugal's food, here are some suggestions: https://juliedawnfox.com/books-about-...

Theresa wrote: "For those thinking about reading about Portugal's food, here are some suggestions: https://juliedawnfox.com/books-about-..."

Thanks Theresa!!!! You are like having my very own "search" assistant! I owe you a coffee!

Joanne wrote: "Theresa wrote: "For those thinking about reading about Portugal's food, here are some suggestions: https://juliedawnfox.com/books-about-..."

Thanks Theresa!!!! You are like having my ..."

If you ever find yourself in NYC...

I was curious about the food as I keep thinking I have seen an interesting book somewhere...haven't found that one yet but share what I do find! Plus, it is a nice break from all the difficult reading this month.

@Joanne - I think this is the one I was thinking about:
https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydis...

Wow - Great choices for Portugal!

I'm deciding between:
The Tenth Island: Finding Joy, Beauty, and Unexpected Love in the Azores
300 Days of Sun
Night Train to Lisbon

I've put all three on my TBR.

That’s four for Last Kabbalist of Lisbon! Accidental buddy read!

Theresa wrote: "@Joanne - I think this is the one I was thinking about:
https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydis..."

Yes! I love George!

I'm deciding between:

300 Days of Sun
Night Train to Lisbon
Death with interruptions
All the names

For some reason I'm really struggling to find something to read for Portugal. I'm considering Baltasar and Blimunda but I opened the preview last night and something about the writing style made my brain hurt. I'm also considering Distant Music: A Novel. But the one I'm most interested in is Marquesa de Alorna which I haven't been able to find an English translation for so unless I can learn Portuguese really fast it looks pretty hopeless.

Magdalena wrote: "For some reason I'm really struggling to find something to read for Portugal. I'm considering Baltasar and Blimunda but I opened the preview last night and something about the writing style made my..."

That's funny. I saw an ad for a company that claims you can learn a language quickly, but that might be stretching it.

Thanks for the info on B&B. It's on my list too. Distant Music sounds cool and it touches on several different times in history, but my library doesn't have it. I read two Iraq books and I have two other culture books to read, so I won't worry about Portugal until the end of the month. If my NYCity card shows up by then I might have more options.